In the name of God Amen I William Via of the County of Albemarle and State of Virginia
being weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory, and considering the certainty
of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end that I may be the better
prepared (as respects my temporal concerns) to leave this world whenever it may please God
to call me thence do make and declare this my last will and testament in the manner
following that is to say - First I give and bequeath to my wife Mary during her life time
all my Estate both real and personal after the payment of all my just debts, and at her
death to be disposed of in the manner hereinafter directed - Secondly It is my will and
desire that the household and other furniture which each of my daughters namely, Sally,
Nancy Craig, Anna, Elizabeth, Mary Jameson, Rebecca Craig and Eliza Jane hers received
consisting of a bed, bedstead & furniture, and a saddle and a bridle shall not be charged
to their accounts in the final settlement and division of my estate; but that they, or
their lawful heirs or legal representative shall share equally with the rest of my children
in the property or money then to be divided - Thirdly It is my will and desire that at the
decease of my wife the whole of my Estate both real and personal of whatsoever kind it may
be shall be publicly sold to the highest bidder on such credit as my Executors hereinafter
named shall think best; and that the money thus arising after payment of all just demands
against my Estate shall be divided equally amongst all my children - Finally I do hereby
constitute and appoint my son Jonathan Via and my son in law William C. Bryant Executors
to this my last will and Testament - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal this 12th day of June in the year of our Lord 1836
William Via
Signed in the presence of
Thomas Via Thomas C. Norris Fountain D. Dunn
At a Court held for Albemarle County on the __ August 1836
The last Will and Testament of William Via decd was this day produced in open Court, and
being proved by the oaths of the Witnesses thereto, ordered to be recorded.
Teste Ira Garrett CC
The Legatees of Wm Via and the Distributees of Mary Via dec'd
In a/c with Jon. Via exec & adm of sd Estates
[The earliest date is 17 Sept 1848 and names the following:]
1. Thomas C. Via
2. David Via
3. Samuel Bishop & Sarah his wife - [with a notation] Sarah is dead leaving children
4. Fountain Dunn & Nancy his wife
5. Reuben Via
6. James L. Dunn & Elizabeth his wife
7. Talton Via
8. Isaac W. Jones & Rebecca his wife
9. James Walton & Eliza his wife
10. Thompson Via
11. William Via
12. G.W. Williams & Ann his wife
13. William C. Bryant & Mary his wife
14. Jonathan Via
Commissioners Office
Ch.ville Dec 3, 1849
In obedience to the annexed order of the County Court of Albemarle, the undersigned Co___
has settled the Accounts of Jonathan Via Jr as exec of Wm Via decd and also as adm of Mary
Via decd together with the a/cs between said executor and administrator and the legatees and
distributees of the two Estates represented by him- Said accounts are herewith submitted.
Mary Via was the widow of Wm Via the assetts belonging to the Estate of the latter and embraced
in this settlement were given by will to the Widow for life, and after her death to the testators
fourteen children in equal proportions, and as precisely the same persons were entitled to the
Estate of Mary Via- and in the same proportions-the undersigned has consolidated the settlement
of the two accounts the executional and administration accounts (in one) will be found on page 2
& 3 in showing a balance for distribution on the 17 Nov 1849 of $388.26 after allowing ___ C__
C__ and finding the items of debit properly sustained by testimony-this balance was distributable
among 14 persons whose accounts will be found on pages 5, 6 & 7 these are all based upon the
settlement made by __Wm I. Robertson under a decree of the Circuit Sup Court of Law & Chancery
for the County of Albemarle in the suit pending therein between Saml Seilch Sr. Plaintiff &
George Williams & others Defendants.
All which is respectfully submitted.
E.R. Watson